dailyloe.com – Rory McIlroy entered the final round of the 2026 Masters tied for the lead. The 2025 champion shot 1-over on Saturday, April 11. A victory would place him among golf’s most elite company. Only three players have ever won the Masters two years in a row.
The Masters tournament has been held annually since 1934. It was not played from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II. In that long history, just three golfers have achieved consecutive wins. They are considered among the sport’s greatest players.
Jack Nicklaus won back-to-back titles in 1965 and 1966. Nick Faldo accomplished the feat in 1989 and 1990. Tiger Woods secured consecutive victories in 2001 and 2002. All three have won at least three Masters titles.
Jack Nicklaus has won the Masters six times. Tiger Woods has won the tournament five times. Each has permanently etched his name into Augusta National’s history. Rory McIlroy now has the opportunity to join them.
Jack Nicklaus’ first Masters victory came in 1963 at age 23. He finished that tournament at 2-under par. His best round was a second-round 66. That score was three strokes better than anyone else’s best round.
His consecutive wins in 1965 and 1966 were impressive. In 1965, Nicklaus shot under 70 in three of four rounds. He won the tournament by nine strokes. Gary Player and Arnold Palmer tied for second place.
The 1966 Masters was more challenging for Nicklaus. He shot 4-under in the first round to lead. He later entered a playoff with Gary Brewer and Tommy Jacobs. The trio played an entire extra round on Monday.
Nicklaus shot 2-under in the playoff to win. Tommy Jacobs shot even par in the playoff. Gary Brewer shot 6-over in the playoff. This secured Nicklaus’ second straight green jacket.
Nick Faldo’s 1989 Masters win was his first. He had previously won the 1987 Open Championship. The 1989 victory required a playoff against Scott Hoch. Faldo won the playoff on the 11th hole.
Faldo had bogeyed the 11th hole in all four tournament rounds. He birdied the same hole during the playoff. This secured his first major championship at Augusta National. His win in 1990 also required a playoff.[]
Source: USA Today
